Primavera Sound in Barcelona starts today, with the first of the Ciutat concerts. I am going and I hope you are too.

I asked Pau Cristòful, from the festival's booking team, for his unmissable recommendations for Primavera Sound 20206. And he even threw in some insight into how the various acts got booked.

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Pau Cristòful

This is a personal list of tips from within the most special and lesser-known programming of this next edition. Also, no clashes.

Please mind the set times might slightly differ depending on last-minute changes, changeovers etc so always keep an eye on our app to make sure you have the right ones.

The essence of Primavera mainly relies on us not only securing top headliners but heavily working on all tiers, trying to program unique shows year after year. Also make sure to visit all the most special stages of the festival such as the Auditorium, Pulse (adventurous dance open air) and Warehouse (more deep electronic music).

This is just a tiny part of our line-up, I encourage you to explore the rest as well.

City program

Monday June 1

Current 93 + Gwenifer Raymond - P62

We have been working on this for years so couldn’t open the week in a more special way. 

Current 93 are a cult British band that come from the early industrial scene (Throbbing Gristle, Nurse With Wound, etc) and developed into mystical neofolk.

It’s one of the favourite bands of Fra (head of booking). Lately, they are performing less and less so this is definitely quite unique.

As totally unexpected recent news from them, Drain Gang idol Bladee included them as the only collab on his recent album.

American primitivism folk artist Gwenifer Raymond will open.

Tuesday June 2

Cardiacs + Faten Kanaan - La 2

No less cult and legendary are Cardiacs, an ever changing schizophrenic art / progressive rock band that will perform at Primavera what is supposed to be one of their last ever shows (following the death of their frontman Tim Smith and the release of their critically acclaimed album LSD).

Way more minimalistic but also interesting, Faten Kanaan will open with her intriguing Baroque-inspired keyboard compositions. 

Wednesday June 3

Melt-Banana - Apolo - 12.10AM

Another band we have been trying to invite for ages: for more than 35 years, Japanese band Melt-Banana have been one of the most exciting, fresh noise punk acts in the world. They are also performing on Thursday at the main site but you should really try to see them in a venue as well.

Their first album in 11 years, 3+5 (2024), shows that they are still in an unbeatable shape.

In my mind, their music really matches the kawaii influence on hyperpop acts such as Hannah Diamond, who is performing on the same night (Model/Actriz and Serpent are also playing so it’s definitely a great opening party, both “punk” and incredibly fun).

Sunday June 7

Titanic - P62 - 8.30PM

Everything that cellist Mabe Fratti does would be on this list. She is definitely one of the best artists around imo (her solo albums, Titanic and her collabs are all worth checking, including the recent album with Bill Orcutt). 

Titanic is her project with Hector Tosta (aka I. La Católica). Together with a band they play really epic but spacious music, incredibly beautiful but also with doom energy. 

Konono N°1 - P62 - 9.30PM

Playing just after Titanic.

The line-up was almost done when I heard Konono no1 were touring again - what a crazy way to finalise it!!!

Active since the late 60s but only recognised internationally since 2005, this band from Democratic Republic of the Congo plays with electric likembes and recycled percussion instruments, all amplified in a rudimentary way which gives them a unique distorted sound. 

You can think of many later so-called “global sound” music that was influenced by them, but they were first.

Black Country, New Road will play after Konono and also shouldn’t be missed (but I am sure you know them already).

Thursday June 4

Cameron Winter - Auditorium - 5PM

I mean, duh! The auditorium has only 3,000 seats so make sure to get your festival wristband in advance and be there a few hours in advance to secure your seat.

Agriculture - Port - 8.55PM

Abel from our booking team is my go-to person when it comes to metal. Through the years, Primavera has hosted an extensive list of the genre’s greats: from Slayer, Mötorhead, Carcass and Napalm Death to Liturgy and Wiegedood.

This year’s best example is the mind-blowing black metal band Agriculture.

Reappeared sludge metal band Kylesa (playing on Friday) is another great tip.

Epic and expansive new-gen GY!BE vibes band caroline playing the auditorium at the same time are also highly recommended.

Brìghde Chaimbeul - Warehouse - 23.05PM

The warehouse stage is known for hosting the most deep, exquisite and “underground” electronic music of the festival. We like to contrast it with musicians that are really fitting while not electronic at all (like Mohammad Reza Mortazavi too, who is playing on Friday).

Brìghde Chaimbeul plays Scottish smallpipes and performs a modern / experimental take on Celtic folklore.

Rustie - Pulse - 2AM

OK this is a crazy one for us. For many years, we have been dreaming with Calum (Numbers) about inviting him to the Off Week party we used to do. 

It’s finally happening: Rustie’s first show outside of Glasgow since 2017 (and only show he is doing so far) will be at Primavera Sound.

He became a hugely influential on the early 2010s, reinventing bass and dubstep with colourful euphoria (considered a blueprint for SOPHIE and PC Music). He is now back with insane maximalist noisy tracks.

The Pulse stage has a reduced capacity of about 1,000 people and there are normally lines to access so make sure to go on time if you want to witness it.

Oli XL - Warehouse - 2.20AM

OK I lied, this one is a clash with Rustie but is definitely worth the attention. Oli XL’s fragmented and processed hyperpop beats are instantly recognisable. 

Primavera will be the first festival where he plays live. He will perform together with Valeria Litvakov.

Friday June 5

Mark William Lewis - 6PM - Auditorium

When I heard the show that Mark played in Barcelona a few months ago lasted for two hours I raised an eyebrow: ADHD and overexposure to music means that I can’t really stay for more than 30 minutes in front of something if I don’t really, really love it (not even speaking about the fact that a “new” artist with a short catalogue plays for that long). When it finished, I was wishing they would have played for double the time.

Coming from the Dean Blunt-adjacent scene and being the first artist released on A24, his songs are slow burners that remind me both of Slint and The Durutti Column. 

He is just starting and already feels like an all time classic.

Einstürzende Neubauten - 7.30PM - Auditorium

They don’t really need an introduction. Industrial music reference and one of the best live bands in the planet. Every time they play the festival, it ends up being of the best shows of the edition. This is the first time they play the auditorium so it will be even more special. 

Show up early in order to secure your seat.

Merzbow - 9PM - Auditorium

THE Merzbow - someone that has almost become an adjective by itself because of how noisy and intense his music is.

We have been trying to get him for years. Bring earplugs (and keep them for My Bloody Valentine the day after).

Joan La Barbara - 10PM - Warehouse

Being almost 80 years old, Joan La Barbara is a pioneer and reference in vocal experimentation. She has collaborated with all-time greats such as John Cage, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass and Merce Cunningham.

Definitely contemporary experimental music royalty.

I recently learned that she performed the sounds of one of the “Newborn” creature in Alien: Resurrection and I felt that was worth mentioning.

Mohammad Reza Mortazavi - 00.35AM - Warehouse

I booked Mohammad in 2018 (for a not-Primavera related event) and I have been wanting to invite him to the festival ever since. 

This Iranian musician is known for being one of the best percussionists in the world, performing with Persian instruments such as tombak and daf and amassing fans both on the folkloric and the virtuoso worlds and on the electronic one - Ricardo Villalobos released a remix of one of his tracks on the prestigious label Latency last year.

Completely based on improvisation, his shows will take you into a deep journey that for sure you won’t forget.

This is really one of my biggest tips for the festival so don’t miss it!!

Hekt - 2AM - Pulse

EDM has stopped being a guilty pleasure a long time ago, but even if it was still the case, Hekt’s last album would get validated by the purists since it’s on the great label Numbers (that released SOPHIE and Rustie among many others).

Jokes aside, this record is really great and it has both a huge mainstream potential and a fresh, fun and exciting twist to it. Summer vibes.

Remember the Pulse stage has a limited reduced capacity so be there in advance to secure your place.

Debasement live - 2.45AM - Pulse

Right after will be the time for this duo formed by Margo XS (who is producing for Zara Larsson and Kim Petras) and Ali from the punk band Special Interest.

Together they are releasing electroclash and bass music hits. 

This one will have a crazy energy for sure.

Underground Resistance - 4.05AM - Schwarzkopf

The Detroit techno institution, reference for MANY things to come after. Not an easy one to see or book, Elena was considering flying to Detroit to get answers from them a few weeks ago but now everything seems on track.

Truly legendary.

Saturday June 6

These New Puritans - 6PM - Auditorium

Their trajectory keeps getting better and better, developing from their early post-punk hype origins into a more sophisticated, Coil-influenced sound.

A goth way to start the journey.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Elizabeth Copeland - 7.30PM - Auditorium

NOT TO BE MISSED!!

Beverly Glenn-Copeland released Keyboard Fantasies in 1986, which for many years remained an obscure New Age gem for diggers. 

It got reissued many years later, including a cover album with tracks from Arca, Bon Iver, Blood Orange, Julia Holter etc.

As a result, Beverly has connected with new generations of fans that recognise him as an icon for both ambient / folk music and transgender rights.

He made his last album Laughter in the Summer (2026) together with his wife and it is both a letter of love to each other and to life. They will perform together at Primavera, adding more musicians and a choir onstage.

Being over 80 years old, this is expected to be one of Beverly’s last shows.

I am literally dropping a tear while writing this down. This one will be really emotional.

res_ - 10PM - Warehouse (Hivern Discs showcase)

With practically no presence or information online, res_ is the project from Oma Totem (one of the best, most underrated Catalan electronic music producers) and the poet Juns Castella.

With an artsy approach, this is a quite unique proposal and one that I always recommend to check (it’s my tip when it comes to local acts to discover at the festival).

Lechuga Zafiro & Verraco: Hyperverbena - 10.30PM - Plenitude

Another clash, but worth the exception: the Latin label TraTraTrax has been one of the most exciting and refreshing editions to the dance music catalogue, merging their local references with the spirit of revolutionary bass record labels such as Hessle Audio.

“Hyperverbena” feels like a celebration of their universe, amplified by the great visuals from the Latin-born / Barcelona-based duo Proxima. 

Expect it to be wild and fun.

Joey Valence & Brae - 12.25AM - Schwarzkopf

Party-ready hip-hop, like a modern version of the Beastie Boys.

Beatrice M. - 01.30AM - Warehouse (Hivern Discs showcase)

Great “new” French DJ that blends tech house with deep dubstep and contained trance vibes. Tasteful.

Nick León live AV - 02.50AM - Schwarzkopf

Another adjacent to the TraTraTrax scene, the Miami producer merges Latin-influenced electronic music with a pop sentiment that has led him to produce for artists such as Rosalía, Oklou and Erika de Casier.

He will present his acclaimed album A Tropical Entropy (2025) with an AV show.